I have the stock 16in rims for a 91 trans am and it came with 245/50R16 but I am looking for a small change in tires and have been looking at stocking a wider wheel on the back and I have found 245/50R16(Front) and 275/45R16 for the back. The problem is finding them in similar tires, is it ok to just match tire design as summer/rain/radial/ect. or do they have to be the same manufacture and tread pattern. I understand the tread pattern matters to a degree but for a car that will see around 1k miles a year at best could I buy different tires as long as they are similar on paper?

 

I looked at running a 275/45/16 on all four, but could only find R compound tires, and I was gonna widen the wheels. I think a 275 is a little wide for a 8" wheel. But assuming you could find the right 275 tire, and you're ok with making it fit, a square set up is considered ideal for all around handling balance, but... at 1000 miles a year I'm gonna guess that's not a top concern, and I get that.

Assuming the tread pattern is going the right direction, it doesn't really matter. My OCD couldn't handle different tires, but that's my problem.

 

In Superior, AZ, you probably won't have to worry about snow, right? So other than snow tires, whatever other type of tire you want to install should be fine, front-to-rear matching or not--as long as you don't have OCD. Regarding your statement about being interested in a "wider wheel on the back," I assume you meant a wider tire on the back, since you're talking about 16" tires, front and rear? And a 275//45-16 tire is too wide for the stock 16x8 wheel. The only wider size that would fit a 16x8 wheel, that would pair well with a 245/50-16 tire on the front, is a 255/50-16 tire on the rear. Neither size comes in many options these days, but whatever type of tire that's offered in one of those sizes, is likely to be offered in the other size, too, giving you matching tire types and treads on both, front and rear.

Now, for wider wheels AND tires, you'd probably go taller, too, say 17x9 repros, and your tire options will increase, but your back account will decrease.

 

I had a feeling that was going to be my options was go with the same 245/50R16 that came with it or move up to a 17-18" rim to change my size. Also the square fit comment makes sense for handling but the most I will be doing is 65-75 on highways no real high speed cornering or track as it's still a stock 305 I am slowly building up as $$ comes in to restore/renew interier.